Cash was known for his deep, calm bass-baritone voice, the distinctive sound of his Tennessee Three backing band characterized by train-sound guitar rhythms, a rebelliousness coupled with an increasingly somber and humble demeanor, free prison concerts, and a trademark, all-black stage wardrobe, which earned him the nickname "The Man in Black." He traditionally began his concerts by simply introducing himself, "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash," followed by his signature song "Folsom Prison Blues".
Much of Cash's music contained themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially in the later stages of his career. His other signature songs include "I Walk the Line", "Ring of Fire", "Get Rhythm", and "Man in Black". He also recorded humorous numbers like "One Piece at a Time" and "A Boy Named Sue"; a duet with his future wife, June Carter, called "Jackson" (followed by many further duets after their wedding); and railroad songs including "Hey, Porter", "Orange Blossom Special", and "Rock Island Line". During the last stage of his career, Cash covered songs by several late 20th-century rock artists, notably "Hurt" by Nine Inch Nails and "Rusty Cage" by Soundgarden.
Johnny Cash was born on February 26, 1932, in Kingsland, Arkansas, to Ray Cash and Carrie Cloveree (née Rivers). He was the fourth of seven children, who were in birth order: Roy, Margaret Louise, Jack, J. R., Reba, Joanne, and Tommy (who also became a successful country artist). He was primarily of English and Scottish descent. As an adult he traced his surname to 11th-century Fife, after meeting with the then-laird of Falkland, Major Michael Crichton-Stuart. Cash Loch and other locations in Fife bear the name of his family.
At birth, Cash was named J. R. Cash. When Cash enlisted in the United States Air Force, he was not permitted to use initials as a first name, so he changed his name to John R. Cash. In 1955, when signing with Sun Records, he started going by Johnny Cash.
In March 1935, when Cash was three years old, the family settled in Dyess, Arkansas, a New Deal colony established to give poor families a chance to work land that they had a chance to own as a result. Cash started working in cotton fields at the age of five, singing along with his family while working. The Cash farm experienced a flood during the family's time in Dyess, which led Cash later to write the song "Five Feet High and Rising". His family's economic and personal struggles during the Great Depression inspired many of his songs, especially those about other people facing similar difficulties. Consequently, Cash had sympathy for the poor and working class throughout his life.
Cash was very close to his older brother, Jack. On Saturday May 12, 1944, Jack was pulled into an unguarded table saw at his high school while cutting oak into fence posts as his job and was almost cut in two. He lingered until the following Saturday, when he died. Cash often spoke of the horrible guilt he felt over this incident; according to Cash: The Autobiography, his father was away that morning, but Johnny, his mother, and even Jack himself, all had premonitions or a sense of foreboding about that day. His mother urged Jack to skip work and go fishing with his brother, but Jack insisted on working since the family needed the money at the time. On his deathbed, Jack said he had visions of Heaven and angels. Decades later, Cash spoke of looking forward to meeting his brother in Heaven.
Cash's early memories were dominated by gospel music and radio. Taught guitar by his mother and a childhood friend, Cash began playing and writing songs at the age of 12. When young, Cash had a high-tenor voice, before becoming a bass-baritone after his voice changed.
In high school, he sang on a local radio station. Decades later, he released an album of traditional gospel songs, called My Mother's Hymn Book. He was also significantly influenced by traditional Irish music, which he heard performed weekly by Dennis Day on the Jack Benny radio program.
In 1997, Cash was diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disease Shy–Drager syndrome, a form of multiple system atrophy. According to biographer Robert Hilburn, the disease was originally misdiagnosed as Parkinson's disease, and Cash even announced to his audience that he had Parkinson's after nearly collapsing on stage in Flint, Michigan, on October 25, 1997. Soon afterwards, his diagnosis was changed to Shy–Drager, and Cash was told he had about 18 months to live. The diagnosis was later again altered to autonomic neuropathy associated with diabetes. The illness forced Cash to curtail his touring. He was hospitalized in 1998 with severe pneumonia, which damaged his lungs.
During the last stage of his career, Cash released the albums American III: Solitary Man (2000) and American IV: The Man Comes Around (2002). American IV included cover songs by several late 20th-century rock artists, notably "Hurt" by Nine Inch Nails and "Personal Jesus" by Depeche Mode. Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails commented that he was initially skeptical about Cash's plan to cover "Hurt", but was later impressed and moved by the rendition. The video for "Hurt" received critical and popular acclaim, including a Grammy Award.
June Carter Cash died on May 15, 2003, at the age of 73. June had told Cash to keep working, so he continued to record, completing 60 more songs in the last four months of his life, and even performed a few surprise shows at the Carter Family Fold outside Bristol, Virginia. At the July 5, 2003, concert (his last public performance), before singing "Ring of Fire", Cash read a statement about his late wife that he had written shortly before taking the stage:
"The spirit of June Carter overshadows me tonight with the love she had for me and the love I have for her. We connect somewhere between here and Heaven. She came down for a short visit, I guess, from Heaven to visit with me tonight to give me courage and inspiration like she always has. She's never been one for me except courage and inspiration. I thank God for June Carter. I love her with all my heart. "
Cash continued to record until shortly before his death. His final recordings were made on August 21, 2003, and consisted of "Like the 309", which appeared on American V: A Hundred Highways in 2006, and the final song he completed, "Engine 143", which was recorded for his son John Carter Cash for a planned Carter Family tribute album.
Five Feet High and Rising
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Two feet high and risin'
How high's the water, papa?
She said it's two feet high and risin'
Well, we can make it to the road in a homemade boat
'Cause that's the only thing we got left that'll float
It's already over all the wheat and oats
How high's the water, mama?
Three feet high and risin'
How high's the water, papa?
She said it's three feet high and risin'
Well, the hives are gone, I lost my bees
Chickens are sleepin' in the willow trees
Cow's in water up past her knees
Three feet high and risin'
How high's the water, mama?
Four feet high and risin'
How high's the water, papa?
She said it's four feet high and risin'
Hey, come look through the window pane
The bus is coming, gonna take us to the train
Looks like we'll be blessed with a little more rain
Four feet high and risin'
How high's the water, mama?
Five feet high and risin'
How high's the water, papa?
She said it's five feet high and risin'
Well, the rails are washed out north of town
We got to head for higher ground
We can't come back till the water goes down
Five feet high and risin'
Well, it's five feet high and risin'
"Five Feet High and Rising" was released by Johnny Cash in 1959 and is a song about a flood that takes place in Cash's hometown of Dyess, Arkansas in 1937, where the Cash family house was partially submerged. The song reflects the flood's impact on the people and their efforts to cope with it. The song opens with "How high's the water, mama? Two feet high and risin'" which sets the tone for the rest of the song.
The song's emotional depth stems from the way the lyrics reflect on the resilience and resourcefulness of the people who are caught in the flood. Although they are losing everything, they are still determined to find a solution and remain hopeful for a brighter future. Cash's depiction of the situation powerfully evokes the image of people standing together amidst the disaster, and echoes the human experience of rebuilding what could have been lost.
Overall, "Five Feet High and Rising" is one of Johnny Cash's most iconic songs, relaying a message of hope and perseverance that resonates with listeners beyond the history of the flood in Dyess, Arkansas.
Line by Line Meaning
How high's the water, mama?
Asking about the water level due to the rising floodwaters
Two feet high and risin'
The water is already two feet high and continuing to rise
How high's the water, papa?
Repeating the question to the father to confirm the water level
She said it's two feet high and risin'
The mother confirms that the water is at two feet and continuing to rise
Well, we can make it to the road in a homemade boat
The family is using a homemade boat as their only means of transportation
'Cause that's the only thing we got left that'll float
The only thing they have to ride on is the homemade boat
'It's already over all the wheat and oats
The floodwaters have already overtaken the fields and crops
How high's the water, mama?
Asking again about the water level since it continues to rise
Three feet high and risin'
The water has risen to three feet and is still increasing
How high's the water, papa?
Checking with father again to confirm the water level
She said it's three feet high and risin'
The mother confirms that the water has risen to three feet and is still increasing
Well, the hives are gone, I lost my bees
The family's bee colonies have been destroyed by the flood
Chickens are sleepin' in the willow trees
The chickens have fled to the willow trees to escape the rising water
'Cow's in water up past her knees
Even the family's cow is struggling in the waist-deep water
How high's the water, mama?
The water is continuing to rise and the family is becoming increasingly concerned
Four feet high and risin'
The water has risen to four feet and the danger is increasing
How high's the water, papa?
Confirming the water level again as the situation becomes more dire
She said it's four feet high and risin'
The mother confirms that the water has surpassed four feet and continues to rise
Hey, come look through the window pane
Inviting others to see the dire condition outside
The bus is coming, gonna take us to the train
A bus has arrived to take the family to higher ground
Looks like we'll be blessed with a little more rain
The situation is not improving, as more rain is expected
How high's the water, mama?
Asking about the water level as the family prepares to evacuate
Five feet high and risin'
The water has reached five feet and is still increasing, making it impossible to stay
Well, the rails are washed out north of town
The family's transportation options are limited because the train tracks have been damaged
We got to head for higher ground
The family must evacuate to a higher and safer location
We can't come back till the water goes down
The family understands they won't be able to return until the floodwaters have receded
Well, it's five feet high and risin'
The song ends with a final reminder of the severity of the flood and the danger it poses
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Cloud9, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Johnny R. Cash
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anonymous
on Wayfaring Stranger
Wayfaring Stranger - The New Appalachians - Lyrics
I am a poor wayfaring stranger
Traveling through this world alone
There will be no sickness, toil or danger
In that grand land to which I roam
Well I'm going home to see my mother
I'm going home to a morning rose
I'm only goin' over Jordan
I'm only goin' over home
Musical Interlude
I know dark clouds will gather 'round me
I know my way is rough and steep
And beautiful fields lie just before me
Where God's redeemed there vigils keep
Well I'm going home to see my brothers
I'm going home no more to roam
I'm only goin' over Jordan
I'm only goin' over home
Musical Interlude
I'm going home to see my Father
I'm going home no more to roam
I'm only goin' over Jordan
I’m only goin’ where no one roams
I want to wear that crown of glory
When I get to that good land
I want to shout out salvation story
In concert with that blood washed band.
I'm going there to see my saviour
I’ll see his face no more to roam
I'm only going over Jordan
I'm only going over home
I'm only goin' over home